Tuesday, September 24, 2013

If you haven't had beer made with freshly harvested hops, (which frankly is hard for those of us who live here to believe) then you haven't had the pleasure of knowing all that great beer can be.

And if you already know and love fresh-hop beer then you know there is no better festival than the Hood River Hops Fest, held every year on the last Saturday of September. The HR Hops Fest gives you a chance to try firsthand one of man's greatest inventions, and in one of the most beautiful places in the world-the Columbia River Gorge.

With 44 Pacific NW breweries in attendance bringing 65 fresh-hop beers, the HR Hops Fest brings in the best of the best from around the area. From local favorites Pfriem, Double Mountain, and Full Sail, to regional heavyweights Oakshire, Ninkasi, and Deschutes, it's like all the stars align for the perfect beer experience.

From Noon-9pm at the HR Hops Fest, you will hear some of the best regional live music to pair perfectly with whatever beer you're sampling. We've got The Poor Sports, Tess Barr Band, Big City Wind Down, and Tony Smiley all lined up to entertain you.

The HR Hops Fest prides itself on being family friendly. What does that mean? It means under 21 get in free and are welcome to stay until 5pm, we have a kid's zone for lots of fun outdoor play, and local food vendors bring their carts and serve up great food for carnivores to vegans and everyone in between (including kids).

Seriously, is there really any better place to drink beer? We can't think of anywhere more suitable for a downtown party than beautiful Hood River. With views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, the Columbia River rolling by, and all that fresh air, you'd think beer was invented just so we can hold the Hood River Hops Fest.

Hood River, OR—Fresh-hopped beer will be the main attraction at this year’s 10th annual Hood River Hops Fest on Saturday, September 28,2013. As one of the best beer-tasting events in the Pacific Northwest, the Hood River Hops Fest features over 30 fresh-hopped beers from more than 25 Northwest craft brewers. An expanded menu of local culinary favorites, a host of arts and crafts vendors, a great selection of Gorge wines, a children’s play area, and a day-long lineup of live music guarantees fun for the entire family.

The Hood River Hops Fest runs from Noon- 9pm and is situated in downtown Hood River, Oregon between 5th and 7th streets and Cascade and Columbia streets. Visitors can supplement their beer tasting with great local cuisine, from wood-fired pizza to American pub fare to vegetarian dishes. This year’s musical lineup features The Poor Sports, Tess Barr Band, Big City Wind Down, and Tony Smiley.

NEW THIS YEAR, attendees may pre-purchase tickets at Brown Paper Tickets to secure quicker entry into the event. Also new is the VIP TICKET, which allows entry at 11pm for an early preview of the beers.

“Hops Fest started as a tribute to the great, fresh-hopped microbrews of the Pacific Northwest, and that still is the reason that thousands of people attend,” said Ashley Huckabee, Event Coordinator of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the event.

Admission is as follows:

·21 and over:

o$10 General Admission includes beer-tasting stein and 4 taste tokens

o$20 VIP Admission allows early (11am) entry into the event to preview the beers, and includes a beer-tasting stein and 8 taste tokens

o$1 each for additional taste tokens

·Wine drinkers and designated drivers: $4.00

·20 and under: Free and welcome until 5pm

NOTE: Children are welcome throughout the afternoon until 5pm. The venue is open to adults only from 5pm until closing at 9pm.

“Hops Fest in Hood River has become a well-loved annual tradition for beer lovers, both local and from around the world,” said Huckaby. “It’s an event that brings a great group of people to downtown Hood River, and one the Chamber looks forward to every year.”

The Hood River County Chamber supports economic and tourism development for the region and provides promotional programs to its 430 members. As a county-wide organization, it supports businesses, organizations, and governmental agencies in Cascade Locks, Hood River, Parkdale, Odell, Pine Grove, and Mount Hood-Parkdale.

The Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Festival debuting March 30th and 31st at Saraveza and neighboring Bad Habit Room is excited to announce our diverse taplist. Increasing from the initially planned 20+ beers to now over 30 farmhouse and wild ales from across the country.During the festival Saraveza will be offering a special "Farmhouse Cheese Plate" put together by Steve Jones of Cheese Bar and Saraveza's wonderful kitchen staff as well as offering a food special or two that will pair well with the beers.

Taplist:

Agrarian Ales Coalescence Spring Saison

Anchorage The Tides and its Takers Triple

Anchorage Anadromous

Anchorage Rondy Brew

Block 15 2011 Provision

Block 15 2011 Demon's Farm

Block 15 Caves Saison

Boulevard Tank 7

Breakside French Fennel Farmhouse

Bruery Sour in the Rye

Bruery Saison de Lente

Cascade Grand Saison

Commons Myrtle

Crux Saison

Humble Saaz Saison

Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere

Logsdon Seizeon Bretta

Logsdon Far West Vlaming

New Belgium Brett Beer

New Belgium Biere de Mars

Ommegang Biere d'Hougoumont

Ommegang Hennepin

Ommegang Art of Darkness

Pfriem Saison

Pfriem Black Saison

Pfriem Super Saison

Solera French Tickler (Grisette)

Solera Lapin Lover (Wild Kriek)

Telegraph Obscura Vulpine w/ Blackberries

Upright Byrd Stout

Upright Barrel-Aged Seven

On opening at 1pm on Saturday March 30th an initial list of 20 beers will be available at either Saraveza's bar or the Bad Habit Room with the other 11+ beers rotating in over the 2 days of the festival as kegs kick. Tickets are on sale now for $20 which includes a commemorative Farmhouse Festival glass and 10 drink tickets good for a 4oz sample of beer (some beers are more expensive and cost 2 tickets per sample). You are encouraged to purchase tickets here before they sell out. Sales day-of will be CASH ONLY if there are glasses left.Saturday March 30th 1-10pm & Sunday March 31st 1-9pm At Saraveza, outside sidewalk and Saraveza’s Speakeasy,Bad Habit Room.

About Saraveza:
Derived from the owner’s name and the Spanish word for beer, Saraveza Bottle Shop & Pasty Tavern is a place to celebrate craft beer, eat well and enjoy friends and strangers alike. We’re a North Portland watering hole and craft beer convenience store w/ 250+ bottles and 9 rotating taps. Whether you’re new to the brew scene and need some guidance or an old pro just looking for something rare, Saraveza’s beertenders will find a flavor that works for you.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Portland, OR – The Commons Brewery will be recognizing their one year anniversary by celebrating two nights: Thursday, December 6th and Friday December, 7th from 5:00-9:00pm at the brewery.

While the The Commons has roots in Mike Wright’s garage as Beetje Brewery, there was effectively a reset when the venture moved into the new space and started brewing on the new 7bbl system. The doors to the tasting room opened December 3, 2011, “We put a stake in the ground and declared that day one of the new business.” noted Mike Wright.

With the garage only a distant memory, Mike never imagined that a year later the beers that started the brewery would take home two medals with Urban Farmhouse Ale winning bronze at the World Beer Cup and Flemish Kiss winning Silver at the Great American Beer Festival.

The Commons would like to take a moment to recognize all the hard work put forth over the last year and thank their customers for the unbridled support by hosting two events.

Thursday, December 6th from 5-9PM marks the release of Bourbon Little Brother, our Heaven Hill Bourbon barrel aged Belgian Dark Strong. We’ll have 750ml bottles for sale for $11 and $125 per case. To celebrate we are hosting a potluck & bottle share in our brewery. Just show up with a bottle of beer and/or food to share with friends.

On Friday, December 7th from 5-9PM we will tap a few special kegs including the last bit of Plum Bretta and provide appetizers from local friends Lardo, Pacific Pie, 2nd Story, and Cheese Bar. At 7pm we will mark the anniversary with a toast.

BikeToBeerFest is taking place at Hopworks Urban Brewery, located at 2944 SE Powell Blvd. and runs from 2 to 10 p.m. HUB is closing the parking lot and encouraging everyone to ride their bikes to the event. For more information, please see www.BiKETOBEERFEST.com

Who’s Playing

BiKETOBEERFEST has had some amazing acts over the years including March Fourth Marching Band, Boy Eats Drum Machine and Hillstomp. This year, we’re stepping it up even more with the best lineup yet headlined by local faves Ramona Falls at 7:30 and The Builders & The Butchers at 9:00.

2:00 - BiKETOBEERFEST Begins - House DJ

3:00 - Flatlanders BMX Stunt Team

3:35 - Fault Lines

4:15 - Huffy Huck Off #1

5:00 - Casey Neill & the Norway Rats

6:15 - Goldsprints (sign ups start at 5:45 at the stage)

6:45 - Huffy Huck Off #2

7:30 - Ramona Falls

8:20 - New Birth Breakdancers

9:10 - The Builders & The Butchers

9:30 - Last Call

9:50 - Event ends, Bike Safely

What's it Cost

We've got a great Starter Package set up that will get you admission, a souvenir pint glass and 14 tickets for $20

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Are friends at Roscoe's are holding their 3rd Annual Summer Beer Summit this Friday (tomorrow)!

Here is the info from the email they sent me:

"The 3rd Annual Roscoe's Summer Beer Summit will take place on Friday June 29th beginning at 4PM. We will have 14 great summer beers on tap for the event. A few of the taps will have some of our favorite summer seasonals, but there will also be a lot of beers that just taste great on a nice summer day.

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In accordance with new FTC regulations regarding bloggers and endorsements, the affiliated companies mentioned have not paid me for my opinion unless explicitly mentioned within the post. All products reviewed are freely purchased by the author.